About District

Ludhiana city was founded in the time of Lodhi dynasty which ruled in Delhi from 1451-1526 A.D. The legend goes that two Lodhi Chief Yusaf Khan and Nihand Khan were deputed by Sikandar Lodhi (1489-1517 A.D.) to restore order in this region. They camped at the site of present city of Ludhiana which was then a village called Mir Hota. Yusaf Khan went across the river Sutlej in Jalandhar Doab to check Khokhars who were plundering the Doab and made a settlement at Sultanpur while Nihand Khan stayed back and founded the present city at the site of village Mir Hota. The new town was originally known as Lodhi-ana, which means the town of Lodi’s. The name later changed to the present name Ludhiana.Ludhiana is now a District Headquarter with Parliamentary Constituency of the same name. It is one of the biggest Municipal Corporations of the State.

It is spread over about 310 km2. The city stands on the Sutlej’s old bank, 13 km south of its present course. Over the years, the city has turned out to be a vibrant kaleidoscope of different cultures and activities. The city has developed a variety of traits and qualities which are perceptible in various forms.

Ludhiana is one of the fastest-growing cities in India and its population according to provisional figures of 2011 Census was 3498739. The population increases substantially during the crop harvesting season due to migration of labourers from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and Delhi.

Ludhiana has got the highest per capita vehicles in India. Every three months, more than 10,000 new vehicles are added. The problem of vehicular traffic congestion in the city is acute. The city has a number of railways over bridges (ROBs) and fly overs at different strategic places to ease the traffic congestion.

The most populous part is the Old City areas such as Wakefield Ganj (known as Field Ganj), Khud Mohalla, Miller Ganj, etc in which majority of the middle income population resides. On the other hand, Sarabha Nagar, Bhai Randhir Singh (BRS) Nagar, Agar Nagar, Kitchlu Nagar, Rajguru Nagar, etc. are new areas which are planned. Haibowal Kalan is a rapidly developing area of the city. The Main Market in Sarabha Nagar and Ghumar Mandi are the most frequently visited areas of the city.